"Applications for the government's emergency benefit opened today. Canadians needing financial help to ride out the COVID-19 crisis can apply for a new benefit which provides about $2,000 a month.

Those born in the first three months of the year will have first crack at applying. To ensure the portal can handle the expected high volume of applications and the system is not overloaded, the government has staggered application periods over the work week based on an applicant's month of birth. ​

The federal government opened its application portal at 6:00 a.m. today. Canadians facing unemployment due to the COVID-19 crisis can apply for emergency income support benefits under the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). Service Canada and Canada Revenue Agency are jointly administering the CERB. Canadians can go to Canada.ca for information

Applicants who set up direct deposit are expected to receive a first payment within three to five days. Those who use mail should receive a first payment within 10 days. Payment is $2,000 a month for up to four months.People who are normally eligible for employment insurance (EI) can continue to apply through EI and Service Canada, and they will automatically be enrolled in CERB.​The CERB offers income support for people who have stopped working due to the pandemic, including those not eligible for EI, contract employees and freelancers."